{"id":5991,"date":"2024-04-30T21:22:02","date_gmt":"2024-04-30T21:22:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.wearedream.org\/?p=1919"},"modified":"2026-03-25T18:35:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T22:35:12","slug":"not-just-a-slogan-on-a-t-shirt-what-it-means-to-believe-in-every-student","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/wearedream.org\/blog\/not-just-a-slogan-on-a-t-shirt-what-it-means-to-believe-in-every-student\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Not Just a Slogan on a T-Shirt:\u2019 What It Means to Believe in Every Student"},"content":{"rendered":"

April is Autism Acceptance Month, and that means a lot to us at DREAM, where nearly one-third of our students have special needs. That includes autism diagnoses, as well as a broad range of other academic and social-emotional needs across DREAM\u2019s student population.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

DREAM\u2019s population of special needs students is higher than the average NYC public school or charter school because our work is fueled by our deep belief in all kids. We believe that every child has the right and ability to thrive, no matter their strengths or challenges. And we believe every family should have access to the services and supports that their child needs, deserves, and is legally entitled to receive.<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, that belief in every child inspired one of DREAM\u2019s core maxims: <\/span>All Kids Can. This Kid Can.<\/span><\/i> \u201cIt is so easy to write that on a T-shirt or a poster,\u201d says Kristine Rigley, DREAM\u2019s Network Director of Student Support. \u201cIt’s an entirely different thing to put those words into action. And every person at DREAM is very committed to making sure that those actions align with the words.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

We live that belief daily through inclusive practices that start even before the first day of school, and last far beyond graduation day:<\/span><\/p>\n